Breaking gender stereotypes

Despite facing prejudice and being the only woman among 20 men onboard, Romeeta rose from ETO cadet to senior roles on global vessels—and now inspires future women seafarers.

From growing a kilo of mushrooms to winning the Nari Shakti Puraskar, this Bihar Nari is all things inspiring!

“When we demanded the need for toilets, I remember, we were told to ‘drink less water, so that you don’t need to visit the washroom at all.’ One response was even about using some tube to urinate in while working hours!”

“When I told them about my decision, most of them laughed it off as a joke. After they realised I was serious, I would be repeatedly asked if I could manage the kids or if I was really going to do the housework. It was unthinkable for many."

Shila Dawre shut all these stereotypes down when she became India’s first woman auto driver. Rubbing shoulders with khaki-clad men driving rickshaws, clad in her regular salwaar kameez, she drove around the lanes of Pune, owning them.

Employing two women waiters in its bar, Hotel Joance Regency at Thodupuzha, Idukki district has indeed raised the bar for women, not just in the region, but the country as well.